A brave little girl fighting a rare form of cancer and fundraising pals at Hitchin Belles FC have been flooded with celebrities wishing them well.

At the last count 20 well-known names from the world of showbiz, music and sport have hailed courageous Hattie Brattan and the Belles.

The list includes Joe Wicks, Guillem Balague, Paul Whitehouse, Russell Kane, Shane Richie, Victoria Derbyshire, Giovanna Fletcher, Jordan North, Jessica Plummer, Vernon Kay, Colleen Nolan, Tore Andre Flo, Gary Chivers, Russell Watson, Ruthie Henshall, Beverley Callard, Suggs, Bobby George, Since September and Molly Mae.

Hattie's story

Hattie, aged seven, lives with her sister, Ellie, brother George, mum Helen and dad Paul in the town, and has been fighting rhabdomyosarcoma, a soft tissue cancer.

Family and friends have supported Hattie through nine rounds of chemotherapy, as well as proton beam therapy in Manchester, before a year of maintenance chemotherapy.

The Hitchin youngster has faced her battle with determination and dignity while being treated at various hospitals including London's Great Ormond Street and Addenbrookes in Cambridge, after starting her tenth round of chemo this month.

Bilbao to Baku

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Inspired by her courage, coaches and girls from club agreed to run or walk 3,430 miles, starting this week, for four weeks, with the intention to raise funds for Hattie, and help her brave battle.

The precise figure relates to the furthest distance between stadiums at Euro 2021, which is set to take place across the continent - from the Azerbajian capital Baku to Bilbao, in the Basque country of northern Spain.

Celebrities send their messages

Former Eastenders star Richie said: "A big shout out to the Hitchin Belles who have embarked on a walk to raise money for Hattie's Rainbow of Hope."

The star, who was wearing the famous hat he wore in I'm a Celebrity, then asked for Hattie for a virtual kiss, adding: "I wish you all the best and I hope you raise lots of money. A big kiss to the Hitchin Belles."

The star also promised to come and watch the Belles once the pandemic is over, adding: "After West Ham, I can't think of another team [I'd rather watch] and one day when we come out of this nightmare I'll come and support you.

"Good luck guys, take care."

Hattie and the all girls undertaking the challenge have already received motivational videos from Joe Wicks and Guillem Balague - along with comedians Paul Whitehouse and Russell Kane.

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Organiser and Belles coach, Jeremy Wood said: "We really appreciate the support.

"We sent the video to Hattie's family and they were amazed by the interest and said they were really thankful for the support."

At the time of writing the cash the Belles have raised has smashed through the £8,500 barrier in only a week, with the fundraiser set to last for a month.

The girls and their coaches have already run 2,800 miles - 82 per cent of their target - and are set to add to their original challenge, so watch this space!

To donate

All funds raised from by Hitchin Belles 'Baku to Bilbao' challenge go to the wider 'Hattie's Rainbow of Hope Appeal' via the Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group.

The much-needed cash will go into rhabdomyosarcoma research as well as kinder and more effective treatments for youngsters battling the disease.

Donate here

Read Hitchin Nub News as we chart the progress of the Hitchin Belles in their bid to boost brave Hattie